Lasting machine



' April 2, 1946..

C. A. ROBINSON LASTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 13, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 1n ver) for I Char/es A. Fdbinsofi April 2,- 1946.' c. A. RoBmsoN 2,397,624

LASTING MACHINE FiIed Sept. 13, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet? I n Denim April 2, 1946; c. A. ROBINSON LA STING MACHINE Fil ed Sept. 15, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 [nven for Char/e5 A. Robinson Patented Apr. 2, 1946 UNITED EgNiTf OFFICE LASTI-NG MACHINEl I p Gliarles: A. Robinson; Salem, Mass, assignor to United: Shoe Machinery Gomoration, Fleming? tongtN'. at corporation 013 N ewJersey Application September 13, 1944, Serial No. 553,873

V 35: Claims.-

This invention relates to lasting machines,, and is herein illustratedias: applied to a. power-operat'edtoe-Tasting machine which, except as hereinafter explained constructedw generally as disclosed in U'nitect States Letters Patent. No.

2,160,846; granted on J une..6,.. I939", on an applicathe upper heightwise. of the last and are thereafter operated to wipe; the marginal portion of the upper inwardiy over an insole. on. the last, andlal'so with grippers: which apply a pull to the toe end of the. upper and control it during the greater portion of; the wiping operations of the wipers. The present invention, its illustrative embodiment, providesinstead' of such grippers a device having, the, function, of: what is commonly known as. a. retarder andhereinafter so termed,

this; device being arrangedto clamp the marginal portion. of the upper. outspread on the wipers about the endandl along, the sides of the toe and to cooperate with them in applying a. pull to the upper while preventing the formation ofa'ny ohiectionablefwrinkles therein in the. course ofthe-- toe-lasting operation. Novel" features of the invention are. to be, recognized in the, construction of the retarder and of the means. for operatin and controlling it. As herein illustrated, the retarder comprises a plurality of spring-controlled upper-clamping members arranged?' in a series about the end and" alongthe sides ofthe toeand relatively movable heightwi'se of theilast to adjust themselves to the upper on the wipers. Since a shoe priorto the toe-lasting operation; is commonly lasted at the sides of the'forepart beyond the toe portion, and sinc'e'thenrarginof the'upper may, therefore; be more readily outspread and clamped on the toe wipers about the end of the toe than at the sides of the toe near the" previously" lasted portions whenthe wipersare in the positions which they occupy at the beginning of the wipin'g of the" upper heightwiseof the last (commonly 'known as the: upwipihg operation),

the above-mentioned upper-clamping members; I

arepositioned initially in such relation toone another heig-htwise' of the last as toclampthe upper' on the wipers first about the end; oi the toe and thereafter successively in locationsttarthen from the end of the toeand nearer the: previously'side lasted" portions of the: shoe in the course of the upwiping operation. This avoids any such displacement of the margin of the upper hei'shtwise of the last near the previously sidel'asted portions as. might tend to produce wrinkles at the sides: of' the toe. The construction shown is further such that amore effective pull: is applied to: the upper by the Wipers and the retarder at the corners of the toe; where the customary pulling-over operation previously performed is comparatively ineffective; than in otherlocations ahout tli'etoe; For this purpose the upperclamping, members at the corners of thetoe are controlledby stronger springs" than the other portions thereof, outwardly over the wipers. As

illustrated; the portions of the retarder which clamp the upper at the sides ofthetoe are. mounted tomove in directions widthwi'se of the last" relatively to" the portionat' theend of the toe andare moved outwardly over the wipers by means responsive topressure applied; thereto by the-wipers in the course or the upwiping operation; The retard'er as a wholei's, moreover,

moved lengthwiseoi" the-last to apply a similar outward wipeto the margin of the upper about the end or the toe by novel means responsive. to movement of the retarder heightwise of the last 7 by the wipers.

The aboveand other features ef' the invention,

including various novel details of construction and com-hinations of parts, willnow be: more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and thereafterpointedv out in'theclaims.

the drawings, Fig.- 1 is at View mainly inright-hand side-elevation of a portion of the: machineshown in the previously mentioned Letters Patent as modified for purposes of thepresen't' invention:

Fig. 2: is a' plan view of the retarder,.illustrating" itsrelation to the toeend of a shoe shown diagrammatically;

Fig. 3 isa; section on theline-IIE-III of Fl'g 2;

4i is a section on the line 0t Fig; 2;

Fig. 5 is a view' showing mainlly the retarder as it appears inrear' elevation;

l 'iig G is a) vertical sectional: viewfrom theright of the machine, showing: the retander and; parts; associated therewith-,. together with; the

1'. wipers and shoe-positioningzmeans,.the pantscheing shown in the positions which they occupy prior to the beginning of the toe-lasting operation;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing the parts as they appear substantially-at the be inning of the upwiping operation of the wipers on the upper;

Fig. 8 isa view also similar to Fig. 6, showing the parts as they appear just'after the beginning of the movements of the wipers to Wipe the mar-- ginal portion of the upper inwardly over the insole;

tarder and the wipers in Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a view in right-hand side elevation,

Fig. 9 is mainly a pl'anview showing the rethe same positions asin showing means. additional to that shown in Fig.

1 for controlling the retarder. a V

In view of the disclosure in the above-mentioned Letters Patent, only such portions of the machine willlbe herein described as it is necessary 7 Zto referto for an understanding of the inven- Jtion. In the construction herein shown the posi- 'tion of a welt shoe in the machine is determined 1 byf shoe-positioning means constructed as 'disclosed in Letters Patent No. 2,388,367, granted on November 6, 1945, on an application of mine,

this shoe-positioning means comprising a pair-of members 2 (Figs. 1 and 9) relatively adjustable for shoes of different sizes and styles and ararm 40 of the lever 36 is connected by a spindle .42 to one arm. of a two-armed lever 46 fast on the rockshaft 88. The spindle 40 is mounted to turn in atrunnion block 58 pivotally mounted on the arm 40 and is threaded in another trunnion block'5llpivotally mounted on the arm 44. 'By

means of a collar 52 and a hand wheel 54 engaging the trunnion block tfi on its opposite sides the spindle is prevented from moving lengthwise relatively to this block, and accordingly turning movement thereof serves to adjust the .two armed lever 36 about the 'rockshaft 38'and thereby ranged to engagethe inner face ofthe toe-end :portion of the lip a of the insole and also the bottom face of the insole adjacent to the lip.' Against the members 2 the shoe is clamped by a toe rest 4 which is moved upwardly into clamping position shortly after the'beginning of the cycle of power operations of the machine. For

vlasting'the toe end of the shoe the machine is provided with a pair of wipers 6 which are advanced and closed to embrace the upper about the toe end of the last and are swung upwardly controlling it in the toe-lasting operation are dis "pensed with. Instead of such grippers there is l provided a retarder identified generally by the reference character 8, the construction of which will be hereinafter described in detail, this retarder being arranged to clamp the marginal portion of the toe end of the upper outspread on the wipers and to control the upper in the course of the wiping movements of the wipers; The retarder includesa block It) on which other portions thereof are-supported,this block being adf justable in directions lengthwise of the shoe along a dovetailed guideway lZ (Fig. 5) provided in the l 1 lowersplit end of an upwardly extending rec tangular bar l4- Ascrew IBthreaded in the lower end ofthe bar serves by contraction of the split ;porti0n oi the bar to clamp the block In in ad- [justed position, The bar Mfis vertically movable in a U-shaped guide 18 which is secured by screws 2e to a boss 22 formed on a frame casting 24 with which the machine is provided. A pin 26 mounted in the upper end of theguidelB and extending q throughalslot 28 in the bar. l4 further assists in guiding the bar in its downward and upward through the link 32110 adjust the bar I4 and the retarder 8 in either a downward or an upward direction. Fast on oneend of the rookshaft 38 is an arm'56 connected-by a downwardly extending link 58 to one arm 60 (Fig. 10) of a bellcrank lever 62 mounted toturn about' a shaft 64.

The other arm 66 of this bell-cranklever is 'provided with a roll 68 in engagement with the periphery of 'a cam 75 fast on the main'camsh'aft 12 of the machine; A spring'l l connected to the arm fifi'ten'dsjto swing the bell-crank lever 62 in a counterclockwise"direction.(Fig;10) and holds the roll'68 normally 'againstthe cam. At the proper time in the operation of the machine a "drop b on the cam permits the spring 14, to'swing the lever 62 in the direction to impart downward movement through the rockshaft 38 and vthe arm about an axis (not shown) extending widthwise of the last to wipe the upper heightwise of the last.

Thereafter the wipers are further advanced and closed to wipe the marginal portion of the upper: inwardly over the feather and against the lip of the insole, the lip being supported against the inward pressure of the wipers by the members 2. y: In the machine herein shown thegrippers dis- 5 closed in Letters Patent No. 2,160,846 for applyinga pull to the toe end ofithe upper and. for

V j to vary-the tension of the spring 16 andis like 7 the lever 12 shown in Letters Patent ,No..2,303,3 l2,

.34 to the bar l4 and the retarder 3 and thus to move the retarder into. position" to clamp the margin of the upperoutspread on the wipers: 6 (Fig. 7). Inv thus moving the retarder, downwardly the spring 14 is assisted by another spring 16 (Fig. 1) connected at itslower end to a second arm 78 of 'thefltwo-arme'dglever 46 and at its upper endto. a' lever 80 which is used adjustably granted on December 1, 19 l2, on an application of C. Eastman;

The, retarder 81is provided with aplurality of fingers 82 "arranged to engagetheupper in a series about the "end and along thejsides of the toes The lower end portions ofthese fingers are approximately rectangular in shape; except for curved recesses 84 (Fig. 4) in theiroutersides to restrict the. area ofengagement of their lower end faces with theupper. Extending-upwardly from their lower end portions the fingers have block ll] of the retarder and their cylindrical porhollow, cylindrical portions parallel 'to'one another andwithin which are'mounted coil springs 86 tending to force the fingersdownwardiinda pendently of one another. Within these coil springs are upwardly extending rods 83 ias'tiin the lower end portions of the'fingers. JOnegrouD n of the fingers 82,'herein shownassix in-number,

is arrangedto engage the upper about the end 7 of the toe, "thesegfingers being supportedon the tions being slidingly mounted in the block. Se-

owed to the block is a cap jSB against which the upper ends of the springs 53 controllingthe n rs of t is, oup are seated, and the re justably the initial positions of: the. fingers. relatively tothe block I20; Beyond. the-.above-mentioned end; group of fingers. 82: are. two. other groups: arranged to engage the upper respectively along the opposite sides ofthe. toe, these groups of fingers being. supported:.-respectively by arms 9A which are pivotallymounted for swinging movements widthwise of the shoe on studs: so mounted inthe block I50 and: extending: height;- wise of the. shoe in locations beyond the end-'- of the toe. The: cylindrical portions of the fingers 82% of these side groups: are slidingly mounted in the; corresponding arms 94 andsecured to each arm: isa bracket-- 98: against-which. the upper ends of'the corresponding springs 86 areseated and by: engagement with which nuts- 92 on the corresponding rods 88 serve to: determine adjustablythe initial positions-of the fingers relatively to. one-'anotherheightwise of theshoe. A-spring I looped about the studs-96 bears against the outer sidesof thebrackets 98 and tends to: swing thearms 94 inwardly toward each other. initial: positions of the arms 94- widthwise of the shoe-are: determined: adjustablyby screws I 02 whi-ch arethreaded in-the-arms and bear at their inner ends againstspreaders' H34 pivotally mounted respectively on the two studs 96, the positions of these Spreaders beingdetermined bya wedge member I-06' 1ocated between them. This wedge member: is controlled by a spring H18 which tends to-move-it downwardly; the: limit of its downward movement being determined by the engagement of shoulders l-III (-Fi'g.- 3) thereon with the top facesof the spreaders I 04; The lower endof'the wedge member I 06 is arranged to engage the margin of theupper' outspread on the wipers at the endof the toeand thereby tocause wedge faces I l=2 formed on its opposite sides to swing the spreaders I04 and the arms 94 outwardly in predetermined time relation to theoperation of thewiperson the toe end of the upper; asmore particularly hereinafter explained, thuscausing thetwosi'de groups of fingers 82 to spread and wipe the-margin oftheupperat the sides of the v toe outwardly over the wipers.

In: predetermined time relation also to the movements ofthe wipers amovement lengthwise of the shoe is impartedto-the retarder 8 asa whole to cause the fingers 82' located about the end of the-toe tohave an outward wiping action on the margin of the upper. For this purpose there is located in a recess H4' in the bar I4 a pawl- I lfi'mounted to swing about a pin- I18 in the bar and controlled by" two oppositely acting springs I20 which tend to hold it: in a substantially" horizontal position with its front end extendinginto a recess I22 in the guide I8. When the bar I4 is moved downwardly to carry the ret'arder toward the wipers the pawl H6 is carried to a position where its front end engages ratchet teeth I24 formed on the lower end portionofthe guide I.8, the pawl being then inclined i'na forward andupwardv direction (Fig. 7.). Upward movement of the retarder and the bar I4 which occurs inthe course of thetoe-lasting operation, as, more particularly. hereinafter explained, causes the. pawl in engagement withthe ratchet. teeth. to swing toward a horizontal positionand thereby to. force. the lower end. portion 011 the, bar. and with. it the retarder rearwardly against the resistance of. the. spring. 3.0,. as.- illus.---

The-

the bar I4 a-beveli. I16: (Fig. 61): isnformedioni the upper endiportioniof the. guide I18" neaitthe pin. 18.

In the. operation of the machine; in so. far as it is. of interest with reference. to the. present invention, the shoe is first. clamped against the shoe-positioning members. 2." by upward. movement: of the toe. rest. 4, after which thewipers fi are advanced and closed and: are swung. upwardly to: bring their edgesinto; positionsifior thereafter effectively wiping. the. upper heightwise. of the last. Inthe. course. of these movements of the wipers the drop b; on the: cam I'll arrives in: a position opposite the roll. 68 1 and. the. retarder 8 is moved rectilinearly downward. toward the wipers by'the action of the. springs t4: and 16. on. the ro'ckshaftw. The fingers 82 of the group;located. at the end of the; toe, which: may-'beiadjusted by the corresponding nuts. 92' with their lower endfaces atthe same height;.first arriveinapositions to clamp the margin of the upper outs'pread' on the wipers, as. illustrateddn Fig; '7. This. is not only because of. the. inclination of the wipers lengthwise of the: shoe: at. this. stage in the lasting operation, but. also: because. the fingers of. thetwo groupsta-long the sidesof the toe: are, as shown, so. adjusted. by: their nuts 92 that: they are positioned successively higher the farther they are from the: end of theltoe, Since the margin of the. upper along: the; sides: ofi the toe is. inclined upwardly toward. the portions: already: lasted over the insole, beyond the toe; this arrangement of the. side fingers182 serves to prevent the margin of' the upper. in these locations from, being unduly displaced. until the wipers have; been. moved upwardly: far enough; to; permit it to be readily clamped thereon. Asthe wipers continue their upward movements the fingers about the endv of the: too are forced .upwardly against the resistance; of. their springs 86', and the fingers along the sides. of the toe become successively effective to clamp: the; upper onv the wipers in locations progressively" farther from the end. of the toe". In the course of the upwiping operation, moreover, outward; swinging movements areimparted to the armsflhvhich carry the side groups,of fingers in response: to pressureeof. the margin of. the upper: at the end of the toe on the wedge member I06: which is moved'upwardlyby'the-wipers; Insuranceris thus afforded that the margin of theupper' alom, the sides of the toe will. be properly outspread over the wipers. and that it will be clamped; smoothly on. the wipers by reason of: the outward. wiping action of. the fingers 82 thereon. Before-thezcompletion. of the upwiping; operation the enlarged lower end portions of the. fingers 82. engage the lower faces of the block Iifland the arms 94, after. whichthe retarder asa whole: and itssupporting bar [4 are moved upwardly'by the wipers against'the. stronger resistance: of. the springs 14 and; 1.6, the. rockshaft 38 turning in. a clockwise directionandthe roll. 68.; (Big; 10) being moved out of; contact. with the cam. I0. At. this time the pawl; II 6,. which. was carried, downwardly: by the downward. movement of the bar I4 to. an inclined; position in. engagement with. the. teeth I-2i4-,.as' shown in. Fig. 7,. is. turned about its, pin 8' by the action of the teeth. I24 thereon. and thereby forces; the lower-end; of the bar I4 and the retarder in a rearward directiom to: causethe fingers 82: about. the: end of: the toe to: have. an outward wiping actiorr on. the. margin of the upper in thatlocation. as; further: insurance; that 7 the upper: will. .be smoothly clamped.free.v from closed towipe'the marginal portion of. the upper inwardly over the feather and against 'the 1ip' of'the insole, and shortly after the beginning of their inward movements, when they are positioned, for example, as shown in Fig. 8, a rise 0 on the cam it acts on the roll 68 to turn the rockshaft 38 farther in a clockwisedirection and thus to lift the bar It and to carry the retarder away from the upper and'the wipers. As the bar It is thus moved upwardly the pawl H6 is first swung downwardly by the action of the teeth I24 thereon to permit the lower end portion of the bar toibe returned by the spring '30 to its normal position relatively to the guide 18, and

the pawl is then carried upwardly into position to permit its front end again to enter the recess I22 in the guide and to permit it again tube V centralized by the springs 129. It will be underaway from the wipers the wedge member M16 is stood that as the retarder is moved upwardly returned to its initial position by the spring I08 and the armss i carrying the side groups of fingers are swung inwardly by the spring Hill to the positions determined by the screws I02. I i It will be understood that a shoe operated upon by the machine herein shown will ordinarily have received a pulling-over operation at an earlier stage in its manufacture. Since the pull ing-overeoperation as performed in accordance with the usual commercial practice applies no direct pull to the upper at the corners of the toe,

the center of the toe and that finger of each side 7 groupwhich is nearest the end of the toe.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to'secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: I

1. In a lasting machine, thecombination with means'for wiping the toe end portion of an up--* per on a last heightwise of the last, of a retarder forflclamping the marginal portion of the upper outspread on said wiping means about the end and along the sides of the toe, said retarder including' at the sides of the toe a plurality of upper-clamping members relatively movable in response to pressure of the upper on some of them in the course of the wiping of the upper height- I wise of the last to render others thereof located farther'from the end of the toe to clamp the upper. g

2. In a lasting machine, the combination with effective also its means for wiping thetoe-end portion of an upper V on a last heightwise of the last, of a retarder for V clamping the marginal portion of the upper out- "mg members arranged in different positions spread on said wiping means about the end andalong the sides of the toe, said retarder including at each side of the toe a plurality of upper-clamplengthwise of the last and relatively movable heightwise of the last to adjust themselves to the upper on the wipers, the members at each 3 side of the toe being initially positioned in such offset relation heightwise of the last as to render them'effective' successively to clamp the upper in locations-farther'fromthe endof the toe in wrinkles on the wipers After the ,upwiping 013'- the course of the wiping of the upper heightwise oration the wipers .are further advanced and' ofthelast. V ,7

3. In a lasting machine, the combination with means for wiping the toe-endfportion of an upper on a last heightwise of the last, of a retarder for clampingthe marginal portion ofthe upper outspread on said wiping means about the end and'along the sides of the toe, said retarder iineluding at each side of the toe a plurality ,of upper-clamping members arranged in different positions lengthwise of the last and relatively movable heightwise of the last to adjust themselves to the upper on the wipers, springs associated respectively with said different members for pressing them on the upper while permitting their relative movements, and means arranged to cooperate with said springs to position" the members at each side of the toe adjustably in such, offset relation heightwise of the last as'to render them eifective successively to clamp the upper in locations farther from the end of the toe in the course of'the wiping of the upper heightwise of the last.

4. In a lasting machine, the combination with wipers movable to wipe the ,toe-end portion of an upper on a last heightwise, of the last, of a retarder for clamping the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers about the end and along the sides of they toe, said retarder including at each side of the toe a plurality of upper-clamping members arranged in a series lengthwise of the last and each yieldingly mov able heightwise of the last by the wipers, and means for positioning thev membersat each side of the toe initially in suchoffset relationgto one another heightwise of the last as to cause them to clamp the upper successively in locations farther from the end of the toe in the course of the wipretarder for clamping the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers about the end and along the sides of the toe, said retarder including at each side of the tee a pluralityof' upper-clamping members arranged in a series lengthwise of the last, springs associated respectively with said difierent members and against the resistance of which they are movable heightwise of the last independently of one another by the wipers, and means for adjustably positioning the members, at each side of the toe initially in such ofiset relation to one another heightwise of the last as to cause them to clamp the upper successively in locations farther from the end of the toe in the course of the wiping of the upper heightwise of the last.

6. In a lasting machine; the combination with wipers movable upwardly to wipe theftoe-end portion of an upper heightwise of a last 'positioned bottom upward, of a retarder for clamp-V ing the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers about the end and along the sides of the toe, said retarder including atieach side of the toe a plurality of upper-clamping members arranged in a series lengthwise of the last, said upper thereon, and means for initially'po'sitioning the members at each side of the toe at difierent heights to render them effectiveto clamp the upper successively in locations fartherifrom the end of the-toe in the course of the wiping 76' of the upper heightwise of the last. 7

57. In .a lasting machine, the combination with wipers for wiping the toe-endportion ofan upper on a last heightwise of the last, of a retarderior clamping the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers, said retarder comprising a plurality of upper-clamping members arranged in aseries about the end and along the sides of the toe and relatively imovable heightwise .of the last to adjust themselves to the upper on the wipers, said members being positioned in such relation to one another as to clamp the upper first about the end of the toeand thereafter along the sides of the toe successively in locations .iarther from the end of the toe in response to relative movements thereof in the course of the wiping of the upper h'eightwise of the last.

'8. In a lasting machine, the combination with wipers movable to wipe the toe-endportion of an upper on a last 'heightwise of the last, of a retarde'r .for clamping the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers, said ,retarder comprising a plurality of upper-clamping members arranged in a series about the end and along the sides of the toe, springs against the resistance of which said members are movabl independently of one another heightwise of the last by the wipers, and means for positioning said members initially in such relation to one another heightwise oi the last as to cause them to clamp the upper first about the end o'fthe toe and to render the members at the sides of the toe thereafter effective to clamp the upper successively in locat'ions farther from the end of the toe in the course of the wiping of the upper .heightwise of the last.

"9. In a lasting machine, the combination with wipers for wiping an upper about the toe end of a last into lasted position, of a -retarder for clamping the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers to control "it in the lasting operation, said retarder comprising a plurality of fingers arranged to extend longitudinally heightwise of the last in a series about the end and along the sides of the toe and each having an endface for engagingand clamping theupper, said fingers being relatively movable -recti linearly 'heightwise of the last in parallel relation to one anotherto permit them to adjust themselves to the upper on the wipers.

10. In a lasting machine, the combination with wipers for wiping an upper about the toe end of a last into lasted position, of a retarder for clampingthe marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers --to control it in the lasting operation, said retarder comprising a plurality of fingers arranged to extend longitudinally heightwise of the last in a series about the end and along the sides of the toe and each having anend face for engaging and clamping'the upper, said fingers being relatively movable heightwise of the last in parallel relation to one another to permit them to adjust themselves to the upper on the wipers, springs associated respectively with the different fingers for pressing them on the upper, and means for relatively adjusting saidfingersheightwise of thellast.

11. In a lasting machine, the combination with wipers for "wiping the toe-end portion of :an upper on a last heightwise of the .last, 01 a retarder for clamping the marginal portion :of the upper outspread on :the wipers,;said retarder comprising a plurality of fingers arranged to extend longitudinally .heightwise :of the last in :a series about the end and along the sides :ofthe :toe

and each having an end :faoe for engaging and clamping the upper, said fingers being relatively movable heightwis of the last to adjust themselves to the upper. on the wipers, and means for positioning the fingers initially in such relation to one another as to clamp the upper first about the .end of the toe and thereafter along the sides of the toe successively in locations farther from the end of the toe in responseto relative movements thereof in the course of the wiping of the upper 'heightwise ofthe last.

12."In.a lasting machine, the combination with wipers movable to wipethe toe-end portion .of

an upper on a last heightwise of the last, of a retarder .for clamping the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers, said ,retarder comprising .a plurality of upper-clamping members arranged in a series about the toe, and a support for. said membersrelatively to which they are yieldingly movable 'heightwiseof the last by the wipers, said support and members. being thereafter :further movable as a unit bythe wipers in the course of the wiping of the upper heightwise of the last.- i I 13. In allasting machine, the combination with wipers movable .to wipe the toe-end portion of an upper on a last heightwise of the last, of a retarder for clamping the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers, said retarder comprising a plurality of upper-clamping members'arranged in a series about the'toe, springs associated respectively with said difierent .members and against the resistance of whichthey are yieldingly movable heightwise of the last by the wipers, a support for said members relatively'to which they are thus movable, and additional spring means against the resistance of which said support and members are further movable as a unit by the wipers in the course of the wiping of the upper heightwise of the last.

'14. In a lasting machine, the combination with means for wipingthe toe-end portion of an upper on a last heightw'ise of the last, of means for Y clamping the margina1 portion of the upper on said wiping means about the end and along the sides of theftoe to apply a pull to the upper as it is wiped heightwise of the last, said clamping means being so constructed as to cause the upper to be pulled more forcibly where it is clamped at thecorners of the toe than where it is clamped at the extreme :end and the sides of the toe.

Ina lasting machine, the combinationwith means for Wiping the toe-end portion of an upper on a last heightwise of the last, of a retarder for clamping the marginal portion of the upper on .said. wiping means about the end and along the sides of the toe to apply a pull to the'upper as it is wiped heightwise of the last, said retarder having-means for clamping the upper with a -comparatively high degree of force at the corners :of the toe and with less force at the extreme end and the sides of the toe.

16. In a lasting machine, th combination with Wipers for wiping the toe-end portion of an upper' end clampingithe marginal portion .of the upper on 'saidwipers about the end and along the sides of the toe to control it in the lasting operation,-

said retarder including a plurality of upperclamping membersarranged to engage the upper in a series substantially all around the toe, and. springs associated respectively with said different members for pressing them on the upper, the

springs controlling the members engaging the,

upper at-the corners of theitoe being stronger than the springs controlling the members at the extreme end and the sides of the toe.

18. In ala sting machine, the combination with means for Wiping the toe-end portion of anupper on a last heightwise of the last, of devices arranged to clamp the marginal portionof the upper-outspread, onysaid, wiping meansiat the sides 'of the toe, and means for moving said de- I vices outwardly over the. wiping means widthwise of the last in clamping engagement with the upper in the course of the wiping of the upper heightwise of the last.

19. In a lasting machine, the com ination with wipers for wiping the toe-endportion of an upper on alast heightwise of the last, of devices arranged to'clamp the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers at the sides ofv the toe in locations progressively farther from the end of the toe in the course of the wipingof-the upper heightwise of the last, and meansfor mov- H wipers movable to wipe an upper about the toe ni sm responsive to engagement of the margin of the upper on the wipers therewith for moving said devices outwardly over the wipers widthwise of the last.

24. In a lasting machine, the combination with wipers for wiping an upper about the toe end of a last into lasted position, of devices arranged to clamp the marginal portion of the upper outend of a last heightwise of the last, of devices arranged to clamp the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers at the sides of r the toe, and mechanism operative in response to the movement of the Wipers heightwise of the last ing said devices outwardly over the wipers widthwise of the last as they thus progressively clamp theupper on the wipers; c I V 20.;In a lasting machine, the combination with wipers forwiping the toe-end portion of an upperpn a'last-heightwise of the last, of devices arranged to clamp the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers-at the sides of the toe, said devices each-including a plurality of upper-engaging members arranged in a series lengthwise of the lastand relatively movable to 1 clamp the upper successively inlocations farther from the end of the toe in the course of the wiping of the upper heightwise of the last, and means for moving said devices outwardly over the wipers widthwise of the last as they thus act on the upper. 21. In a lastingmachine, the combination with wipersfor wiping the toe-end portion of an 'upper on a last heightwise of the last, of a group of upper-engaging members arranged to clamp the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers at the end of the toe,'other groups of upper-engaging members arranged to clamp the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers at thesides of the toe, and means for moving said other groups outwardly over the wipers widthwise of the last relatively to said first-named group in the course of the wiping oi the upper heightwise of the last. r

22. In a lasting machine, the combination with wipers for'wiping an upper about the toe end of a last into lasted position, of devices arranged to clamp the marginal portion of the upper on the I wipersat the sides of the toe to control it in the'lasting operation, and means responsive to pressure applied thereto by the wipers for'moving said devices'outwardly widthwise of the'last.

23. In a lasting machine, the combination with wipers for wipingan upper about the toe end of c a last into lasted position, of devices arranged to clamp the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers at the sides of the toe to control it inthe lasting operation, and mechato move said devices outwardly over the wipers widthwise of the last."

26. In a lasting machine, the combination with wipers for, wiping an upper about the toe end of a last into lasted position, of devices arranged to clamp the marginal portion of the. upper outspread on the wipers at the sides of the toe to control it in the lasting operation, members supporting said devices and mounted for movements widthwise of thelast, and a wedge member be-" tween said supporting members for forcing them apart to move saiddevices outwardly over the wipers in the lasting operation.

27. In a lasting machine the combination with wipers for wiping an upper about the toe end of a last into lasted position, of devices arranged to clamp the marginal portion of the upper out-.

spread on the wipers at the sides of the toe tocontrol it in the lasting operation, arms supporting said devices and mounted for swinging movements widthwise of the last, and a wedge member arranged to be rendered operative by pressure applied thereto by the wipers to forcesaid arms apart and thereby to move said devices outwardly over the wipers.

28. In a lasting machine, the combination with wipers for wiping an upper about the toe'end of a last heightwise of the last, of a retarder for clamping the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers about the end and alongthesides of the toe, and means for moving portions of said retarder lengthwise and widthwise of the last-respectively to wipe the marginal portion of V the upper outwardly over the wipers in the course ofthe wiping-of the upper heightwise of the last by the wipers. I v

29. 'In a lasting machine, the combination with r wipers .for wiping an upper about the toe end of a last heightwise of the last, of a retarder for clamping the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers about the end and'along the sides of the toe, and means for moving said/retarder as a whole lengthwise of the' last and for also moving portions thereof at the sides of the toe widthwise of the last to wipe the marginal portion of the upper outwardly over the wipers lengthwise and widthwise of the last in the course of the wiping of the upper heightwise of the last y the wipers.

.30. In a'lasting machine, the combination with" wipers movable to wipe an upper about the toe end of a last heightwise of the last, of a retarder for clamping the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers about the end and along the sides of the toe, and means responsive to the movement of the wipers heightwise of the last to move portions of said retarder at the end and the sides of the toe respectively lengthwise and widthwise of the last to wipe the marginal portion of the upper outwardly over the wipers.

31. In' a lasting machine, the combination with wipers movable to wipe an upper about the toe end of a last heightwise of the last, of a retarder for clamping the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers about the end and along the sides of the toe, and means responsive to the movement of the wipers heightwise of the last to move said retarder as a whole lengthwise of the last and to move portions thereof at the sides of the toe widthwise of the last to wipe the marginal portion of the upper outwardly over the wipers lengthwise and widthwise of the last.

32. In a lasting machine, the combination with wipers for wiping an upper about the toe end of a last into lasted position, of a retarder for clamping the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers aboutthe end and along the sides of the toe to control it in the lasting operation, means responsive to pressure applied thereto by the wipers for moving portions of said retarder at the sides of the toe outwardly over the wipers widthwise of the last, and additional means also controlled by the wipers-for moving said retarder as a whole lengthwise of the last outwardly over the margin of the upper on the wipers.

33. In a lasting machine, the combination with wipers movable to wipe an upper about the toe end of a last heightwise of the last, of a retarder for clamping the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers, said retarder being movable heightwise of the last by the wipers, and a pawl arranged to turn in response to that movement of the retarder to force the retarder also outwardly over the wipers.

34. In a lasting machine, the combination with wipers movable to wipe an upper about the toe end of a last heightwise of the last, of a retarder for clamping the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers, a member supporting said retarder and movable with it heightwise oi the last by the wipers, a member along which said supporting member is thus movable, a pawl pivotally mounted on one of said members, and means 0n the other member for engaging and turning said pawl to cause the pawl to force the retarder outwardly over the wipers in response to its movement heightwise of the last.

35. In a lasting machine, the combination with wipers movable to wipe an upper about the toe end of a last heightwise of the last, of a retarder for clamping the marginal portion of the upper outspread on the wipers, a, support for said retarder movable to carry it heightwise of the last toward the wipers and reversely movable thereafter with the retarder by the wipers, a pawl pivotally mounted on said support, and means for engaging and turning said pawl to force the retarder outwardly over the wipers in response to such reverse movement of the support and re- 

